Government moves to stamp out illegal opioids
The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured Parliament that the government is stepping up efforts to combat the illegal sale, distribution and misuse of dangerous opioids across the country as part of measures to safeguard public health.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament, the Minister said the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is implementing a range of regulatory, operational and public health interventions to curb the illicit trade in substances such as tapentadol and the street drug popularly known as “Red.”
As drug abuse has escalated into a national public health safety and emergency especially among the youth calling for the urgent enforcement of existing laws on public health, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the FDA has not registered any pharmaceutical products containing tapentadol for medical use in Ghana, making the sale, distribution, usage and possession of such products illegal under the country’s laws.
He explained that the FDA, working closely with the Pharmacy Council, regularly inspects retail and wholesale pharmacies to identify unregistered medicines, educate medicine retailers on the dangers associated with opioid abuse, and confiscate illegal products from the market.
According to the Minister, individuals and businesses found dealing in unregistered opioids are sanctioned in accordance with the law to deter further violations and protect the public from harmful substances.
Mr. Akandoh stressed that the ongoing enforcement measures are intended to prevent the misuse of controlled substances, ensure that medicines are supplied only through approved regulatory channels, and strengthen public confidence in the country’s pharmaceutical regulatory system.
Though the Minister’s comments highlighted the Government’s commitment to strengthening surveillance, enforcing existing regulations and collaboration with relevant institutions to address the growing concerns posed by dangerous opioids trade and drug abuse in Ghana, the unavoidable question however remains how these illicit drugs frowned upon by the law, keep finding their way into the Ghanaian markets for purchase and consumption.
Author: Joyce Owusu
